June 12 2017

Riva 56’ Rivale: the unrivalled open yacht

The new model, revealed at the world première in Sarnico, is an ideal opportunity to experience the excellence of Riva concentrated in an open yacht of unmistakable style.

The creation of a new Riva boat always involves a challenge to state-of-the-art yachting and a leap forward resulting in the addition of a new star to a universe studded with legends.

56’ Rivale, the masterpiece which further expands the open yacht fleet, was presented to the world on 10th June during “Reflection”, a magnificent event celebrating the timeless elegance of Riva in the place where the legend was born 175 years ago: the historic Sarnico shipyard.

The event saw the unveiling of the new 56’ Rivale as it sailed through a wall of mirrors built on the waters of Iseo Lake. The dinner for the highly selected group of 300 international guests was personally prepared by Massimo Bottura, the world-renowned chef of the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Osteria Francescana in Modena, and saw the participation of the Gritti Palace in Venice, part of the Starwood Group and the only luxury hotel with a Riva Lounge, set right on Canalgrande.

For the occasion, the Italian artist Mimmo Paladino realized especially for Riva a masterpiece called Angelo di Prua, painting on the mahogany wood with maple inlays of the iconic Aquariva bow. The shipyard hosted other works of art by the artist, all in Transavangarde style made between the 80ies and the half of the 90ies.

Another great Italian icon was also featured at this memorable evening: Abarth. The FCA Group presented the special limited edition 695 Rivale, inspired by the lines, colours and stylistic traits of the 56’ Rivale.

“We lived a memorable day: the introduction of the new 56’ Rivale in Sarnico, where everything started and where every debut becomes unforgettable. This fantastic and charming open yacht, powerful and technological, has the privilege to glide on 175 years in the history of Riva. It inherits his name from its predecessor, even being completely new in its hull, lines, engines and technological solutions. This is because, as for every iconic product that made brand’s history, the name remains in its progressive evolution. The new 56’ Rivale is a masterpiece with no rival” explained Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE NEW OPEN56’ Rivale expresses great dynamism, elegance and sportiness from the moment you set your eyes on it, thanks to the design elements that have made Riva open yachts unique in the world. The new 56-foot Riva yacht is the product of the joint efforts of Officina Italiana Design, the Ferretti Group's Product Strategy Committee and the Engineering Department, which have conceived, designed and created a boat with a unique style, excellent performance at sea and cutting-edge technological solutions, including:

- the large glazed windows running along the hull, with flush portholes;- the striking metallic colours of the exteriors, with stylish details in steel and teak.The hull of the first vessel is in a magnificent Shark Grey shade with details in Bright Black;- the unique windshield protecting the cockpit, a true masterpiece of engineering and design which completes the aerodynamic profile of the yacht.

56’ Rivale combines the utmost attention to every detail with the use of the finest quality materials - the distinctive hallmarks of the brand - from the high gloss mahogany of the interiors to the natural teak of the exteriors, as well as lacquered finishes, stainless steel details, mirrored and glazed surfaces, and superior leathers.

The completely new hull further enhances the most popular technical, comfort and innovative yachting features that have led to the success of Riva craft in recent years. A thin aquamarine-coloured line is a motif shared by the fabulous coupé models, the futuristic convertibles and the iconic Rivamare, of which the new 56’ Rivale can be regarded as the “big brother”.

EXTERIORSThe stern, whose garage houses a Williams 325 tender protected by a hatch in double shell carbon fibre, features a major innovation: during underwater movement of the swimming platform, the steps on the left become partially submerged revealing additional steps in the hull, providing a single most convenient stairway for getting into the water and back on board without having to use the steel ladder, although available for use.

In the cockpit, at the far end of the stern, there is a large sun pad. The mooring equipment is housed in compartments set in the bulwark; these are covered by grilles made in stainless steel, as is the fairlead.

Underneath the roll bar, which adds a beautiful finishing touch to the profile and acts as a supporting structure for the antennas of the electronic apparatus, the main deck lounge features a spacious, forward-facing sitting area completed with L-shaped sofa and teak dining table on the left.

This convivial area continues through to the forward section with a raised dormeuse, on the left of the new bridge, equipped with control, monitoring and navigation systems featuring touchscreen displays, including MAN-Boening's innovative wide version engine data display.

Behind the control station is a cabinet unit set along the bulwark, which houses a fridge, ice-maker, grill, sink and bar equipment for at least 6 people. As with the Rivamare, there are practical containers for separate waste collection as well as various storage compartments running all the way to the helm seat and integrated into its base.

In case of bad weather, or if the owner simply wants some shade, the electro-hydraulically operated bimini top can be opened as can the clear side shields, offering excellent shelter and protection for the whole area.

The foredeck has a reclining sun pad that can be protected with a top. In addition to the sun pad there is a glazed floor with a special non-slip surface, set into a stainless steel frame completed by the warning horn fitted in a marvellous vintage case.The case, made from polished cast stainless steel, is a tribute to the glorious Riva vessels of the past. The sun pads, seating and outdoor sofas are upholstered in an original Mambo Artic technical fabric exclusively created for Riva.

INTERIORSBelow deck, the 56’ Rivale offers its guests the comfort of a very elegant lounge-dinette, where mirrored surfaces alternate with varnished mahogany, dark lacquered woods and dark leather coverings. The resulting interplay of different colours and materials is the “signature” of Riva interiors.

Sofas and ottoman seats are covered in fabric created by Ivano Redaelli, an Italian company that supplied the decorative cushions and tartan blanket too. The wall-to-wall carpet is manufactured by the Dutch company Van Besouw.

The galley, situated on the port side, is partly invisible thanks to the mirrored walls - where the TV screen is located - and the sliding lacquered surfaces covering the sink and work tops. It features a host of storage cabinets and, in the fridge area, a unit equipped with the bar set includes a special compartment for storing a Champagne magnum.

A glass hatch cover, in addition to the large hull windows, ensures there is abundant natural light in the galley.The independent day head, accessed directly from the dinette, makes it possible to exploit the full potential of the open yacht for day cruises, as guests can use this facility without entering cabins and bathrooms used by those staying overnight.

The sleeping area features two en suite cabins in which one can admire the same interplay of colours and materials found in the lounge, in addition to the striking contrast between the white leather covering of the headboard and border and the dark leather on the tops of the bedside tables and bases of the beds.

On this first 56’ Rivale, the soft furnishings (cushions, bedspreads, tartan blankets and wall-to-wall carpets) are also designed and supplied by Ivano Redaelli and Van Besouw.The master suite has the head on the left side, while the VIP cabin situated in the forward area features many storage compartments and a starboard side head.

The heads décor consists of different woods, light and dark lacquered surfaces, mirrored surfaces and white Corian. The crew cabin has a single bed with bathroom with separate access from a hatch in the cockpit, concealed by the dormeuse. It can be replaced by a third guest cabin.

ENGINES AND PERFORMANCEThe new open model is fitted with twin1000 HP MAN engines, or with twin 1200 HP MAN engines. In both cases, the propulsion system is V-Drive. With the standard engines, the 56’ Rivale can reach a cruising speed of 31 knots and a maximum speed of 35 knots. With the more powerful engines, performance increases to a cruising speed of 34 knots and a maximum speed of 38 knots respectively (preliminary data).

Access to the engine room is through two hatches on the bridge, one in the centre of the cockpit and the other at the far end of the stern on the left. On request, a Seakeeper stabiliser can be fitted to minimise roll in open sea and at anchor.